It is known as the home of some of the nation’s most premium wine regions.

You have the relatively more recent areas such as the King Valley, where specialist, more cooler climate varieties – often with Italian origins – are making a big mark.

Rutherglen of course has always been known for its magnificent forftifieds and big reds, though there are many other varieties being produced that are world class.

The wineries don’t just bring in the dollars for the wineries though, for their staff and the wider community in the supply chain.

These have long been tourism destinations in their own right.

One of the earliest is the Winery Walkabout followed in the 1990s by the Tastes of Rutherglen.

A whole plethora of wine-related festivals, many with a special culinary focus as well, have meant this is clearly big business for the region.

And that shows no signs of abating – in fact, it is clear that this will just continue to grow in the years ahead, especially as more and more people in the big cities find out about what is on offer.

The robust nature of the industry is borne out in the latest statistics released in The Vintage Report 2016.

Released by Wine Australia, the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia, it shows the national crush at 1.81 million tonnes.

What really makes this encouraging reading is that prices for wine grapes are at the best level in seven years. But then the question will be asked as to just what this means for our producers.

Winemakers of Rutherglen vice-chairman Rowly Milhinch has some good news – things are bright and it seems that will continue into the future.

As he says, Rutherglen does not have large volume producers and so the focus has to be quality.

It is here where the Border experience continues to shine the light brightly. Mr Milhinch ranks 2016 extremely high for what he has labelled terrific reds, very good whites and as a “hero year” for premium fortifieds.

 This is an outstanding result. Our region’s winemakers should be congratulated for their continuing dedication to excellence, no doubt helped at the right times by just the right sort of weather.